As I begin to reflect on two decades of deadlines, crises, reorganizations, reprioritizations, lay offs, and promotions, I feel that I am making progress towards discovering who I really am as a professional and what skills I bring to the table.

Don't get me wrong, I often feel like Sheryl Sandberg in Lean In, where I am waiting for someone to jump out from behind the printer in the office -- you know the one that is constantly out of toner, low on paper or just on strike -- and call me, "imposter," and tell me that I don't know what I am talking about. Sheesh. When I write it down, it sounds like such an insecure statement; however, I am sure there are many of you who feel like this too.

Here are 5 New Year career resolutions to help you develop your roadmap, anticipate the bumps, and envision the light at the end of the tunnel. 

1. Where You've Been: Look back and review the positions you've had, the pros, the cons, and the lessons learned. This information will help guide you.
2. Identify Your Supporters: The workplace is full of individuals who complain or steal other peoples' ideas or want to be the center of attention or who are sincere in their encouragement and are happy when you succeed. Stick with the sincere supports and steer clear of the others. Don't let them draw you into their drama. 
3. Perfect Your Craft: Decide what your real strengths are and select your top 3 skills. Use the next six months as an opportunity to enhance these skills whether it's by attending conferences, watching webinars, reading books or taking a class/course.
4. Solidify Your Brand: By identifying your strengths and skills, you will now be in a better position to really streamline the value proposition that is you. What's the image and experience you want people to have of you? What do you want to be remembered for? Figure that out and work backwards to ensure you deliver exactly how you want others to perceive you.
5. Chart Your Course: Set tactical and attainable goals such as: land a promotion in 8 months, lead a project, execute three new ideas in the workplace, or meet the senior leadership team. 

Remember these are all steps in the long journey that is your career. It takes a while to figure out who are you professionally and it may not be the same person as when you landed your first job. In the end, each new year or even new day, is an opportunity to become the individual you want to be and the person you want to be remembered as. You'r in the driver's seat, put the car in drive, and go!